NV - 4 Murders in one week, LE asking for tips, Washoe & Douglas Counties, Jan 2019 *arrest*

[pandamonium]

Good article lists all the charges in Carson City as well.

Douglas, Washoe County murder suspect postpones Carson City charges, agrees to Reno transfer


Martinez-Guzman waived the right to a preliminary hearing within 15 days in order to be transferred to Washoe County.

A pre-trial conference date in Carson City has been set for July 10 for a status check. Martinez-Guzman will not be required to be in attendance for it.

The victims’ families agreed to the transfer, according to the prosecution.

He will be transferred to Washoe County by Feb. 15 and will be held without bail on the murder charges.

 

[YESorNO]

BREAKING: Washoe, Douglas DA's seek death penalty against Martinez-Guzman in murder case (with clip)

March 14, 2019

"Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks announced Thursday that he will pursue the death penalty against Wilber Martinez-Guzman, who was charged with murdering four Northern Nevadans earlier this year.

The announcement came after a grand jury delivered a 10-count indictment against Martinez-Guzman on Wednesday.

The indictment formally charges Martinez-Guzman with four counts of murder in connection with the shooting deaths of Connie Koontz, 56, and Sophia Renken, 74, both of Gardnerville; and Jerry and Sherri David, 81 and 80, of Reno.

All of the victims were killed inside their homes with a .22-caliber pistol previously stolen from the South Reno property owned by the Davids....

The indictment also charges Martinez-Guzman with five counts of burglary and one count of possession of a stolen firearm. It also supersedes previous charges against him and signals a change in tactics by prosecutors.

The case was assigned to Washoe District Court Judge Connie Steinheimer, who issued a stay against the previously filed charges in Carson City.

Hicks said the next step will be to schedule an arraignment hearing and then set a date for trial. "

BREAKING: Washoe, Douglas DA's seek death penalty against Martinez-Guzman in murder case

(Sharon and Gerald David)

(Sophia Renken)

(Connie Kontz)

 

[Shin Masamura]

BREAKING: Washoe, Douglas DA's seek death penalty against Martinez-Guzman in murder case (with clip)

March 14, 2019

"Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks announced Thursday that he will pursue the death penalty against Wilber Martinez-Guzman, who was charged with murdering four Northern Nevadans earlier this year.

The announcement came after a grand jury delivered a 10-count indictment against Martinez-Guzman on Wednesday.

The indictment formally charges Martinez-Guzman with four counts of murder in connection with the shooting deaths of Connie Koontz, 56, and Sophia Renken, 74, both of Gardnerville; and Jerry and Sherri David, 81 and 80, of Reno.

All of the victims were killed inside their homes with a .22-caliber pistol previously stolen from the South Reno property owned by the Davids....

The indictment also charges Martinez-Guzman with five counts of burglary and one count of possession of a stolen firearm. It also supersedes previous charges against him and signals a change in tactics by prosecutors.

The case was assigned to Washoe District Court Judge Connie Steinheimer, who issued a stay against the previously filed charges in Carson City.

Hicks said the next step will be to schedule an arraignment hearing and then set a date for trial. "

BREAKING: Washoe, Douglas DA's seek death penalty against Martinez-Guzman in murder case

(Sharon and Gerald David)

(Sophia Renken)

(Connie Kontz)

Never easy when you put faces to these crimes.. I hope an example is set for this individual.. Crazy how my views on this situation changed once I came to websleuths and saw the otherside of this equation and the amount of unidentified UID's in that region..

 

[Herat]

Never easy when you put faces to these crimes.. I hope an example is set for this individual.. Crazy how my views on this situation changed once I came to websleuths and saw the otherside of this equation and the amount of unidentified UID's in that region..

Sorry, what's an "unidentified UID?"

Haven't had enough coffee this am.

 

[Shin Masamura]

Sorry, what's an "unidentified UID?"

Haven't had enough coffee this am.

Unidentified Body. I should have put one or the other since UID is the abbreviation.. I didn't have my coffee at the time as well..

 

[YESorNO]

Martinez-Guzman pleads not guilty to murder charges, trial set for 2020

March 19, 2019

"...Martinez-Guzman appeared for an arraignment hearing on Tuesday at Washoe County District Court....

The indictment formally charges Martinez-Guzman with four counts of murder for the shooting deaths of Connie Koontz, 56, and Sophia Renken, 74, both of Gardnerville; and Jerry and Sherri David, 81 and 80, of Reno....

The indictment also charges Martinez-Guzman with five counts of burglary and one count of possession of a stolen firearm....

Martinez-Guzman was set for a status hearing at 1 p.m. April 29. His trial is also scheduled to start at 10 a.m. April 6, 2020...."

https://www.rgj.com/story/news/crime/2019/03/19/martinez-guzman-set-murder-trial-2020/3217278002/

 

[pandamonium]

APNewsbreak: Drug money allegedly motivated NV killer of 4

RENO, Nev. (AP) — A detective says a Salvadoran immigrant charged with four Nevada murders told police he robbed and killed his elderly victims during a 10-day rampage in January because he needed money to buy methamphetamine.

 

[Herat]

Police say immigrant suspect killed for drugs | Daily Mail Online

More to the story.

 

[YESorNO]

Wilbur Martinez-Guzman Appears in Washoe District Court, Pleads “Not Guilty”

March 20, 2019

"Wilber Martinez-Guzman has pleaded not guilty to murdering four people in Reno and Gardnerville in January. At arraignment in Washoe District Court, the 20 year old illegal immigrant from El Salvador was given a trial date of April 6th, 2020. His attorney, Washoe County Public Defender John Arrascada, and prosecutors, expect the trial to take up to eight weeks. Prosecutors have announced their intent to seek the death penalty."

Wilbur Martinez-Guzman Appears in Washoe District Court, Pleads "Not Guilty"

 

[YESorNO]

'It was the meth:' Motive revealed for January murders

Mar 22, 2019

"...he says "he did it because of the drugs. He said he needed the money for the meth. It was the meth."

Martinez Guzman was then asked about the crimes, Answering yes, when asked if he had shot Jerry and Shari David and Connie Koontz. He initially denied killing Sophia Renken, but when pressed admitted that as well.

At the end of the all-day session, the Grand Jury returned a 10 count indictment. He was arraigned Tuesday, standing silent,as was his right, when asked in order how he would plea to each charge.

A not guilty plea was entered for him. A trial date was set for April of 2020."

'It was the meth:' Motive revealed for January murders

 

[pandamonium]

umm, what? Wow, sure hope this doesn't get passed back and forth.


Defense for quadruple killing suspect files motion to dismiss

The defense in the case of Wilber Martinez-Guzman, a Salvadoran immigrant in the US illegally, has filed a motion to dismiss the case. The motion is based on what the defense calls insufficient evidence, but also on the fact that his team feels it's not appropriate for a Washoe County grand jury to indict someone for crimes that took place in another county.

No decision has been made on the motion to dismiss. There will be monthly legal status hearings on the case, with attorneys on both sides discussing any developments. The next is set for May 20, 2019.

 

[YESorNO]

Attorneys for Martinez-Guzman, accused of four murders, ask to dismiss several charges (with clip)

April 30, 2019

"Attorneys representing the man accused of murdering four people in two Northern Nevada counties earlier this year filed a motion to dismiss several of the charges leveled against the 19-year-old.

They also questioned if prosecutors had presented enough evidence to support several other charges that have been filed against Wilber Martinez-Guzman, who was arrested in January on the murders and several burglary charges.
The motion to dismiss and writ of habeas corpus, which challenges the sufficiency of evidence in some charges, were filed on April 19 and discussed today at a monthly status hearing, according to John Arrascada, the public defender assigned to Martinez-Guzman.

Arrascada said the motion asks the court to dismiss four of the 10 charges that have been brought against Guzman.
Those charges are for the murder of Connie Koontz, 56, Sophia Renken, 74, and then two charges for allegedly burglarizing each of their homes after the murders. ...

The trial isn't set to begin until April 2020, but Arrascada said monthly status hearings will occur until then to make sure everything is on track to hit that trial date.

The district attorneys have said they intend to pursue the death penalty.

Martinez-Guzman is also accused of murdering Jerry and Sherri David, 81 and 80, inside their south Reno home...."

Attorneys for Martinez-Guzman, accused of four murders, ask to dismiss several charges

 

[mickey2942]

Attorneys for Martinez-Guzman, accused of four murders, ask to dismiss several charges (with clip)

April 30, 2019

"Attorneys representing the man accused of murdering four people in two Northern Nevada counties earlier this year filed a motion to dismiss several of the charges leveled against the 19-year-old.

They also questioned if prosecutors had presented enough evidence to support several other charges that have been filed against Wilber Martinez-Guzman, who was arrested in January on the murders and several burglary charges.
The motion to dismiss and writ of habeas corpus, which challenges the sufficiency of evidence in some charges, were filed on April 19 and discussed today at a monthly status hearing, according to John Arrascada, the public defender assigned to Martinez-Guzman.

Arrascada said the motion asks the court to dismiss four of the 10 charges that have been brought against Guzman.
Those charges are for the murder of Connie Koontz, 56, Sophia Renken, 74, and then two charges for allegedly burglarizing each of their homes after the murders. ...

The trial isn't set to begin until April 2020, but Arrascada said monthly status hearings will occur until then to make sure everything is on track to hit that trial date.

The district attorneys have said they intend to pursue the death penalty.

Martinez-Guzman is also accused of murdering Jerry and Sherri David, 81 and 80, inside their south Reno home...."

Attorneys for Martinez-Guzman, accused of four murders, ask to dismiss several charges

Sure, dismiss the charges, he only beat up and killed elderly disabled people.

Why are we actually paying a public defender for this? And the guy gets free food, healthcare, clothing, utilities, protection, legal services, recreation, all courtesy of United States government.

Why do we treat criminals better than veterans?!

 

[YESorNO]

Martinez-Guzman in court: Judge considering defense's motion to drop 2 murder charges, throw out confession

May 20, 2019

"Attorneys for Wilber Ernesto Martinez-Guzman argued in court Monday that two killings in Douglas County and evidence linking the 20-year-old Salvadorian immigrant should be thrown out of court.

Martinez-Guzman appeared almost motionless during the hearing, which took about two hours. His left hand was unshackled in court.

In March, a grand jury indicted Martinez-Guzman on 10 counts including the murder of four Northern Nevadans.
Included in the indictment was Martinez-Guzman's confession to the murders that came after police linked him to stolen items, including 12 firearms.

The indictment formally charged Martinez-Guzman with four counts of murder in connection with the shooting deaths of Connie Koontz, 56, and Sophia Renken, 74, both of Gardnerville and Reno couple Jerry and Sherri David, who were both in their 80s.

But Public Defender John Arrascada argued in court Monday that two of the murder charges in Douglas County cannot be included in that indictment. ...

His trial is set for next April. ...

Second Judicial District Court Judge Connie Steinheimer said she would take the motions under submission and would make a decision.

There was no update on when a decision might come. "

Attorneys set a status hearing for June 24. ..."

Martinez-Guzman in court: Judge considering defense's motion to drop 2 murder charges, throw out confession

(Connie Koontz)

(Sophia Renken)

 

[YESorNO]

Judge rules Ranchos murder suspect may be tried in Reno

June 23, 2019

"...District Judge Connie Steinheimer ruled against a defense motion to dismiss charges related to the January shooting deaths of Connie Koontz and Sophia Renken within a mile of one another....

Martinez-Guzman faces four counts of murder with a use of a deadly weapon, four counts of burglary with a firearm, one count of burglary and one count of possession of a stolen firearm.

A jury trial has been set for April 6, 2020, in the case...

Steinheimer declined to rule on whether Washoe County was the proper venue, since it hasn’t been raised by defense attorneys.

A status hearing is schedule in Washoe District Court in the case on Monday...."

Judge rules Ranchos murder suspect may be tried in Reno

 

[YESorNO]

Judge denies request to dismiss some charges against Martinez-Guzman

June 24, 2019

"A man accused of murdering four Nevadans earlier this year was in court on Monday after the Washoe County judge presiding over the case denied a request to dismiss several charges against him.

Attorneys for Wilber Martinez-Guzman, who allegedly murdered four people in Washoe and Douglas counties in January, requested in April that the judge dismiss charges for the two Douglas County murders because the Washoe County grand jury doesn't have jurisdiction.

Judge Connie Steinheimer disagreed, denying that request and an additional challenge to the evidence backing up two burglary charges related to those murders.

At the Monday status hearing, John Arrascada, the public defender assigned to Martinez-Guzman, notified the judge he intended to appeal her decision to the Nevada Supreme Court. Arrascada also said he planned on asking for a stay while the appeal is considered, which would temporarily halt the proceedings. ...

She also asked about Martinez-Guzman's mental heath.

"We've been addressing that issue virtually since Day One," Arrascada said, adding that they've been consulting with national experts to evaluate his client's mental state.

They have not yet reached a conclusion, he said. ..."

Judge denies request to dismiss some charges against Martinez-Guzman

 

[YESorNO]

Immigrant appeals Nevada murder case to state Supreme Court

Jul 11, 2019

"RENO, Nev. (AP) — Lawyers for a 20-year-old Salvadoran immigrant accused of killing four northern Nevadans are asking the state Supreme Court to overturn a judge's ruling upholding a grand jury's authority to indict him in Reno for two of the fatal shootings outside the county....

Michelle Bays, spokeswoman for the Washoe County District's Attorney Office, said Thursday they anticipated the defense would appeal Steinheimer's ruling and that prosecutors will be filing a formal response soon with the Nevada Supreme Court. A status hearing on the case is scheduled in Washoe District Court on July 29."

Immigrant appeals Nevada murder case to state Supreme Court

 

[YESorNO]

Martinez-Guzman's Trial Could Get Delayed (with clip)
The attorney for accused killer Wilber Ernesto Martinez-Guzman says he will file a written motion to continue his client's murder trial.

September 16th 2019

"The attorney for accused killer Wilber Ernesto Martinez-Guzman says he will file a written motion to continue his client's murder trial. John Arrascada says Martinez-Guzman may have an intellectual disability, which would disqualify him from receiving the death penalty if convicted. The trial is set for April but Arrascada says that does not allow enough time to conduct the investigation.

"Roughly, at the earliest, you're looking at 11 months to have a complete, full and accurate intellectual investigation completed," Arrascada said...."

Martinez-Guzman's Trial Could Get Delayed

 

[beatrixpotter]

"Roughly, at the earliest, you're looking at 11 months to have a complete, full and accurate intellectual investigation completed," Arrascada said...."

I guess that's what it takes in jail? Because that's sure not how long it takes in the real world.

 

[mickey2942]

"Roughly, at the earliest, you're looking at 11 months to have a complete, full and accurate intellectual investigation completed," Arrascada said...."

I guess that's what it takes in jail? Because that's sure not how long it takes in the real world.

Isn't that interesting. At the school district we had 30 days to do a full scale assessment, write up the results, present findings and recommendations.

Must be because women work primarily in school settings, and men work in corrections. Just saying.